Desperate for Righteousness

Most likely, you've been examined by a doctor, interviewed as a potential employee, and/or been finger-printed or had a background check. All these indicate a careful and thorough examination, most likely something to which we consented. Perhaps such an depth study of who we are is not scary especially if we are certain of the results. I wonder, however, how many of us welcome God's examination of our hearts. Hmm, maybe so eager. David wrote, "O LORD, do not rebuke or punish me in Your anger, nor discipline me in Your wrath." (Psalm 6:1 AMP). David's request is rooted in a truth we must not miss: he didn't ask God to withhold discipline altogether; rather, he asked God not discipline him in anger. David was aware of his sin and God's displeasure, he saw himself in need of God's discipline. It seems we see here a man who longed for righteousness so desperately he was eager for whatever it would take - rebuke and discipline - to make his heart into the likeness of God. Now, I was never excited when Coach told me and my team mates to run the lines at basketball practice but we knew it was part of disciplining our bodies for strength and endurance. While we we [very quietly] moaned and groaned, we submitted and obey Coach; he was the authority and knew how to help us be the the best we could be. Hebrews 12:6 tells us God disciplines the ones He loves; we also know this: "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11). We've heard it - no pain, no gain! The question, therefore, before each of God's children is this: how much deeply do we long to be like Christ - enough to desire a full examination of the heart AND surrender to whatever God feels it will take to bring that "fruit of righteousness" (holiness) in us? Perhaps the best we can ask God for is that He make us ... desperate for righteousness.

Good For You

There's really no excuse these days knowing the things that good for us and the things bad for us. The psalmist wrote these words in Chapter 73, which continually resound in my mind: "It is good for me to draw near to God." (Psalm 73:28a). Just like the discipline of making good choices for the body, choosing good things for the heart and mind is absolutely-completely vital to a healthy spiritual life and a close relationship with God. Are you experiencing an unexplained distance from The Father? To be sure, it isn't Him Who has moved.  Choose wisely - draw near to Him ...it's good for you!

The Constant Unchangeable

Constant things can be good ... or bad. Constant dog-barking or ringing in the ears can be annoying; on the flip-side, a constant morning or bedtime routine can be quite assuring. How very foolish when we fail to see and acknowledge The Most Constant of all: "For I the LORD do not change." (Malachi 3:6). You've heard it, too - change is the one thing that is constant - that's just not true! God is constant - His Word is constant ... because neither God nor His Word change. Count on it. Depend on it. Rejoice in it. Honestly, one of God's many-wonderful attributes that brings me so much constant comfort is that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. As I wake every morning and consider what my day "looks like," I know with complete confidence God is unchanged from the day before AND He's equally as steadfast as He's ever been and ever will be. Things [even people] come-and-go but God remains, His Word remains. I rest and delight in ... The Constant Unchangeable!

Life Manual

It's [fairly] safe to conclude everyone has an interest in what is relevant to our lives - that which is closely connected-applicable-appropriate. Here's what we know about the Word of God: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8). Not too long ago in my doctor's office was a counter display of books titled, "Life Manual." Curiously, I picked up one of the books, opened it to find it was a New Testament!  It's title "Life Manual" could not have been more accurate! Every answer to every question, every solution to every problem, every help for every struggle, everything including the Way of Salvation for man's soul is given in Scripture.  God-breathed and altogether and perfectly relevant at all times in all circumstances - The Bible. Read it daily!

Beyond Words

Have you ever been without words? Perhaps you saw or heard something weird, strange or just simply dumb and the words just wouldn't come. This is a fairly good description of Job Chapters 38-41 when God quizzes Job about The Almighty. Here's a few questions from that divine quiz: "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? ... Where is the way where light dwells ... as for darkness, where is its place? ... Have you entered the storehouses of the snow ... seen the storehouses of the hail? ... "Who has begotten the drops of dew?" If there is ever a reason to stand in speechlessness, I suggest it is in a true realization of God Himself! While we have questions about why God does as He does, we are often in danger of missing [rather] ... who God is. Job's response should be a wake-up call for thinking rightly about God: "Then Job answered the LORD and said, 'I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained. ... I now see I have rashly uttered that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." (Job 42:1-3 AMP). Job wanted to know "why" but God wanted Job to know "who." The psalmist says, "Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!" (Psalm 33:8 ESV).  Reverent and speechless before The Almighty is not a bad thing. Our God is awesome and magnificent - He is ... beyond words!